Help Choosing Short . . .

[Tokie]

Hey Anasofia! I rode from oregon to Jackson Hole wyoming last summer...and these bibs from TE were the ticket in hot weather http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18029 They are out of my size now or I would buy another pair. They fit like a glove, nice chamois, and are very very breathable and cool - and I don't do hot very well ... it was over 100 degrees on many long days! I also recommend the "arm coolers" by de soto that TE sells. Several other riders wore them too ... when they get sweaty, they really are cooler than bare skin, and they cut the sun a bit too. When I felt I was really baking my skin, I even wore the defeat brand arm coolers also sold her by TE - too hot for my arms, but I stretched them over my legs! With the black and white bibs, it was quite unique, but comfortable. by the way, I call these bibs my penquin shorts - the black and white panels are actually very flattering. The long-sleeved Terry reaction jersey (also sold on TE) rocks in hot weather - and I don't get a sunburn through it either, which is amazing. I have 3 of them, and wore them more than any other jersey on the tour. The only other advice I can offer is that the longer the shorts are, the less sunburned the tops of your legs will be! Have fun! Tokie

[lph]

I have 5 shorts, all different (hey! where did they all come from!), and the different types of padding don't really make much difference to me. I have one that's a favourite because of the padding, but they're all good enough, even though some are a bit sloppier than others, and one is really worn out. What does bug me on longer rides is the ones that have too tight elastic bottom hems. I like them on short training rides because they feel snug and "compressive" but they're irritating in the long run.

Bibs - I have 2 and am still not a total fan. I have had one bout of unexplicable stomach cramps on my road bike, which would have been better without two waist elastics (shorts+tights), but I've ridden many miles comfortably with just plain shorts. And it's a heckuva lot easier to go to the bathroom.

[jesvetmed]

LPH: I have always thought that about bibs.... how DO you manage the bathroom in them? Don't answer -- it's just hypothetical! But that is why I've never considered them.

[lph]

I'll answer anyway

I don't know yet. 90% of my rides are 3 hours or less, and with a little forethought I can get away with not peeing for the duration. But when I wear bibs I do make sure I a) have a somewhat decent sports bra underneath and b) have a jersey with a full-length zipper, in case I need to go be discreet behind a bush.

To be quite honest, that little doohickey that keeps the straps of my PI bib together is the worst problem, when I've got all the rest wrestled off and am in a HURRY!